Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister have been killed in a helicopter crash in steep terrain and freezing conditions, multiple Iranian news agencies report on Monday, adding search teams found the charred wreckage of the helicopter they were travelling in the province of East Azerbaijan.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters, "President Raisi, the foreign minister and all the passengers in the helicopter were killed in the crash," requesting anonymity due to the delicate nature of the situation.
Another picture showing what’s left of president Raisi’s helicopter after it crashed into the mountain. https://t.co/wRHbXrjqOY pic.twitter.com/TwJ5ODXsky
— Ali Hashem علي هاشم (@alihashem_tv) May 20, 2024
According to Iran's Mehr news agency, "All passengers of the helicopter carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister were martyred," after the deaths were confirmed. The helicopter carrying Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian was totally burned in the crash on Sunday, an Iranian official previously told Reuters.
Although there was no official word on the cause of the crash, State TV reported that images from the scene showed the aircraft colliding with a mountain peak.
No trace of survivors at site of Iranian president’s copter crash: IRSC chief https://t.co/43R36VSILT pic.twitter.com/FsOv3gyPXD
— IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) May 20, 2024
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian crashed in the northern region of East Azerbaijan Province. All on board, including President Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, were reported killed.
At the scene of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter crash in northwest Iran, the head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) reports that no survivors have been located.
Also Read: President Zardari, PM Shehbaz extend prayers for Iran's Raisi after helicopter crash
“No trace of survivors has been seen after the discovery of the site of the crashed helicopter,” stated Pir-Hossein Kolivand in an interview with the semi-official Tasnim news agency early on Monday.
The footage shows the moment the president's helicopter wreckage was found by the volunteer drone team of the Relief & Rescue Organization of the Red Crescent pic.twitter.com/xJ3qCdUi9t
— IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) May 20, 2024
Kolivand had earlier in the day disclosed that, following hours of intensive searching in a mountainous area of the province of East Azerbaijan, the crash site involving President Raisi and senior officials who were with him had been located.
Initial media reports indicated that one of the three helicopters in President Raisi's convoy faced difficulties while travelling between Khodaafarin and Tabriz. The incident occurred in the Dizmar forest and mountainous district, between the villages of Uzi and Pir Dawood, amidst heavy fog and rain.
The cause of the crash was attributed to severe weather conditions. Thick fog and persistent rain significantly impaired visibility and flight safety, leading to the crash.
Local media initially suggested that the helicopter had made a hard landing due to adverse weather. However, follow-up reports confirmed that the helicopter had indeed crashed.
Who was on board?
- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi
- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian
- East Azerbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati
- Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, representative of the Iranian supreme leader to East Azerbaijan
Raisi met Azeri counterpart earlier in the day
President Raisi had met with his Azeri counterpart, Ilham Aliyev, earlier in the day to launch the dam, which marks a significant milestone in bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
Following the inauguration, Raisi was heading to visit several provinces in the north when the helicopter encountered severe fog, forcing the pilot to make a swift landing.
Iranian political analyst Mohammad Marandi explained that Raisi is known for his frequent travels across the country, aiming to visit each of Iran's 30 provinces at least once a year. "The president was on the move, as he often is, to connect with people and address regional issues," Marandi said.
Raisi was potential future Supreme Leader
The 63-year-old was elected president at the second attempt in 2021, and since taking office has ordered a tightening of morality laws, overseen a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests and pushed hard in nuclear talks with world powers.
In Iran's dual political system, split between the clerical establishment and the government, it is the supreme leader rather than the president who has the final say on all major policies.
But many see Raisi as a strong contender to succeed his 85-year-old mentor, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has strongly endorsed Raisi's main policies.
Vice president to take over
The Iranian constitution says the first vice president – who is now Mohammad Mokhber – would take the job of president, with the approval of the supreme leader.
According to the Iranian political hierarchy, the head of the state is Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the president is considered the head of the government, the second-in-command.
When the second-in-command is dead, then the first vice president is going to be in charge and in 50 days the country needs to go to an election to elect a new president.
International reaction
Iraq Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani
In a statement, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani expressed profound sadness and deep sorrow over the tragic news. "With profound sadness and deep sorrow, we received the tragic news of the passing of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ibrahim Raisi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and their companions, due to the unfortunate plane crash incident in northern Iran. We extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenei, and to the nation of Iran, its government and people. We express our solidarity with the brotherly Iranian people and the officials of the Islamic Republic during this painful tragedy."
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to offer his condolences. "Sincere condolences to the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the death of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahian, and the accompanying officials in the painful helicopter accident, asking God Almighty for mercy and forgiveness for them and for their families with patience and solace. We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return."
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his deep sorrow on X, stating, "Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow."
